There are a wide range of both economic and social benefits to flying but possibly the one criterion that makes flying more favourable to any other mode of transport is the amount of time it saves.

1. The valuable resource - Time

Time has become one of our most valued resources, particularly in business, but if you have a limited amount of time to spend on your holiday then flying has to be your preferred choice both to and from your destination and during the holiday itself.

Many of us make the mistake of trying to see too much in a limited period of time but the key to getting the most out of your holiday or business trip is to indulge in helicopter tours.

2. Experience all the highlights

Too often tourists have to endure long and often dull journeys so that they can experience the highlights of an area. These hours are effectively wasted time and, as we are all aware, time is money.

Consider the fact that a flight between Cape Town and Johannesburg takes in the region of two hours, yet the same distance by car will take two days.

The vast majority of tourists want to enjoy Cape Town and possibly the Kruger National Park in a two week period. If flying wasn’t an option, the estimated journey time would effectively make this near impossible.

Reputable helicopter tour operators will include all the ‘must sees’ of a region into their itinerary that will arguably take up a small chunk of the total time spent in a new country or region.

3. Get the full picture from above

Flying, particularly in helicopters, allows visitors to see an area in its totality, giving them the proverbial bird’s eye view. In mountainous areas like the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal, the views from up above are unrivalled in their magnificence.

4. Access to difficult terrain

Helicopter flips have the added advantage of being able to access difficult-to-reach terrain and thereby allowing visitors to experience highlights not often enjoyed by the man in the street. They are also the ideal mode of transport for the unfit or infirm.

5. Added comfort

Flying offers the added advantage of comfort. Whether on a commercial flight or a helicopter flip over the Cape Winelands, there is always a lot more leg room for the ardent traveller. It’s also possible to move freely around larger aircrafts and there are dedicated staff members to care for your every need.
Unlike long, arduous car journeys where the African heat can become a real killer, air conditioning makes flying a relatively painless experience.

6. The cheap alternative

The competitive nature of world aviation has ensured that the number of cheap or discounted flights is on the rise. Many of these low budget airlines also offer lucrative specials at certain times of the year that make flying cheaper than driving by a significant margin.

7. Maintains long distance relationships

These days the world is considered a global village and people relocate to different countries all the time for jobs or simply a better quality of life. Flying is the only real way to keep up with those who have moved to distant shores – imagine how bereft we would all be if there was no way of visiting our loved ones in far off places!

8. Reliable

All flights, be they commercial or otherwise, adhere to strict operational schedules so it is generally considered one of the most reliable modes of transport in the world today.

9. Huge economic advantages

Air transport generates a total of 32 million jobs annually and the global economic impact of flying is estimated at $3, 560 billion per annum, the equivalent of 7.5% of the world’s GDP – clearly not to be sneezed at!

10. Facilitates economic growth

As the only rapid worldwide transport system, aviation is essential for global business and tourism, the main facilitators of economic growth. World trade has skyrocketed since the advent of flying and today the total value of goods transported by air represents 35% of all international trade, while over 40% of all international tourists travel by air.

OR Tambo international Airport in Johannesburg is Africa’s busiest airport and caters for 17 million passengers, 250, 000 tonnes of cargo and 200, 000 aircrafts per annum.

It is estimated that South Africa’s ten principal airports have over 23 million passengers using their facilities each year and when you consider ACSA’s (Airports Company South Africa) profit before tax was R928 million in 2006, then it is clearly the transport mode with the biggest economic clout.

Lavana James
www.nacmakana.com